NELSON MANDELA BAY MUNICIPALITY INTENSIFIES EFFORTS TO COMBAT CEMETERY VANDALISM AND TOMBSTONE THEFT.
Published: May 13, 2026<< BACK TO NEWS
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The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has intensified interventions aimed at addressing the ongoing theft and vandalism of tombstones across cemeteries in the Metro, following a recent breakthrough arrest in Kariega linked to coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies, municipal officials, and industry stakeholders.
The Municipality acknowledges the serious emotional distress and frustration these criminal acts continue to cause grieving families and communities and has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting cemeteries as dignified public spaces deserving of respect, protection, and proper management.
Over the past two years, the Municipality has recorded an increase in incidents involving theft, vandalism, and damage to tombstones across several municipal cemeteries. These incidents have placed significant strain on municipal resources and have required ongoing collaboration between the Municipality, the South African Police Service, Metro Police, private stakeholders, and community structures.
Importantly, the Municipality has not treated these incidents lightly or passively.
All reported cases have been formally escalated to the Municipality’s Internal Investigating Unit within the Safety and Security Directorate, as well as the South African Police Service, with investigations currently underway.
In a recent operational breakthrough in Kariega, a suspect was arrested after cooperation between the Municipality and local tombstone manufacturers helped identify suspicious activity linked to the recycling and alteration of tombstones. Industry stakeholders have since strengthened collaboration with authorities by reporting suspicious polishing, recycling, and resale requests associated with cemetery materials.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Councillor Babalwa Lobishe, said the Municipality understands the public concern surrounding the matter and acknowledged the need for stronger long term security interventions.
"These criminal acts are deeply painful and unacceptable. We fully understand the anger and hurt experienced by affected families and communities. At the same time, it is important for residents to know that the Municipality is actively pursuing interventions within its available resources to strengthen cemetery security, support investigations, and improve coordination with law enforcement agencies,” said Executive Mayor Lobishe.
The Executive Mayor added that the scale of the challenge requires substantial financial investment and long-term operational support.
Current municipal assessments indicate that approximately R20 million per financial year would be required to provide comprehensive security coverage across all 11 active cemeteries within Nelson Mandela Bay.
To begin addressing the challenge, the Municipality has identified an initial R700,000 through internal savings measures. However, this amount would only provide limited security coverage for one cemetery for approximately three months and is therefore insufficient to fully address metro wide security demands.
Despite broader financial pressures facing local government, including competing service delivery priorities related to water, electricity, roads, public safety, and ageing infrastructure, the Municipality has confirmed that cemetery security remains a priority area receiving ongoing attention and engagement.
Consultations with the Budget and Treasury Directorate are currently underway to explore sustainable funding options for additional security interventions, including:
- Enhanced cemetery patrols
- Improved surveillance and monitoring systems
- Access control measures
- Coordinated law enforcement operations
- Strengthened partnerships with SAPS and community safety structures
The Municipality further warned that the theft, vandalism, and unlawful possession of tombstones or cemetery material constitute criminal offences and that individuals involved in these activities may face criminal prosecution.
Residents, funeral industry stakeholders, community organisations, and businesses operating within the memorial sector are encouraged to continue working closely with law enforcement agencies by reporting suspicious activities linked to cemetery vandalism and tombstone theft.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality remains committed to protecting public cemeteries, restoring damaged infrastructure where possible, supporting law enforcement investigations, and ensuring that the final resting places of loved ones are treated with dignity and respect.
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